Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday broke his silence and spoke on some national issues in an interview he granted to Bloomberg Television, London, which was aired yesterday. Since he gracefully bowed out of office, there has been mudslinging against him. However, “in order to allow the new government to do their work”, he has refused to join issues with anybody. But in the interview, he revealed that, despite the lies being told, he did not leave an empty treasury for the present government of Muhammadu Buhari.
He also disclosed that he is being investigated for corruption by Buhari’s government. Nevertheless, he defended his tenure and his fight against corruption while he was president.
In the interview, Jonathan was optimistic that the threats by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) would be peacefully resolved.
”I cannot say the country from the beginning of our independence, that there was no corruption; yes there has been corruption. I did very well also to curtail corruption.
“My approach to corruption was ‘don’t make money available for anyone to touch’.
“We made sure that area of fertiliser subsidies was cleaned up and the whole corruption there was removed.
“I tried to do the same in the oil industry, but the very people that were accusing us of corruption, were the same people frustrating it; it’s unfortunate.”
On the question if he was concerned that he would be investigated for corruption while in office, Jonathan replied yes. “Obviously, I’m being investigated.”
Asked if he would be found guilty of corrupt practices, he said: “I wouldn’t want to make certain comments because, when a government is working, it’s not proper for immediate past presidents to make certain statements.
“I will allow the government to do the work it’s supposed to do.
“I wouldn’t want to make serious comments on that; it’s not proper.
“After all, these investigations, the whole stories will be properly chronicled.
“I’ve just left office and I should allow the President and his team to do what they believe is good for the country.”
On the issue of renewed militancy in the Niger Delta since he left office, Jonathan expressed confidence that the government can reach an agreement with militants in the Niger Delta to stop the attacks which have slashed production.
“Definitely, it will be resolved; yes, government can always overrun restive movements and so on, but the Niger Delta is too delicate. The level of damage will be too much for the government to bear. We used dialogue.”
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